Mick O’Connor (Dublin, flute)

Mick O’Connor is originally from The Liberties area of Dublin where many of the Dublin piping families lived. He was a member of the Piper’s Club in the late 1950s through to the 1970s where he trained the Pipers’ Club Céilí Band. Mick is a well-known flute player, archivist, researcher and music historian. As a musician, he has broadcast and recorded with Seán Keane of The Chieftains and Charlie Lennon. In the 1960s, he was leader of the popular Castle Céilí Band and led them to success at Fleadh Cheoil na hĖireann in 1965 and Oireachtas na Gaeilge Céilí Band Championships on four occasions. He is a popular lecturer and teacher at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy and formerly Scoil Ėigse. He was a member of a sub-committee that was instrumental in organising the 1968 uilleann piping Tionól in Bettystown, Co. Meath, which resulted in the formation of Na Píobairí Uilleann. For many years Mick has been involved in the design and production of LPs, CDs, videos and books relating to Irish music. This year he published his comprehensive 551 page book In Safe Hands – An Illustrated History of Irish Traditional Music in Dublin (1893 – 1970).